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Please review my welds.

Hi guys
I've attached a few photos of some welds I did earlier. The first is attaching some flat plate to RHS welded in a horizontal position, the second is a vertical weld of plate to RHS
I'm happy for your comments however hard they need to be for me to improve.
Thanks in advance
Ash

Hi Ash, I recommend that you attemp to break off the plates from the weld, and check where it breaks apart, that will give you an indication of any problems. Your first pic appears to be done with very short welds, approx 25mm long, is this correct? When you start the weld, start the arc about 5 mm in front of the end of the previous weld, then go back with the arc to start the next section of weld, which will/should prevent the slight build up of the start of the weld site. This takes a lot of practice, but eventually comes natural.
The welds on the Horizontal piece, appear to be a bit on the cold side, with insufficient build up, again depending on the thickness of the plate, which appears to be 5mm thick? Welding this thickness plate to square that you've chosen, I like to see the welds flush with the top of the plate and the top of the radius, just looks a lot neater, in my opinion.
Keep it up, and you'll get there.
Kryn

Hi, Ash
Pic 1 -
Increase the voltage by about 10% -decrease the wire speed by just a bit say 5%.Move a bit faster. Drop the torch angle to about 30 degrees off the horizontal

The excess wire speed and slow travel are overfilling the bead and making that belly and leaving what amounts to a notch on the bottom of the bead.This is where cracks start. Make sure you push the arc not pull it.

Pic 2
Again more voltage- use a shorter wire stick out, increase the voltage and the travel speed.

I wrote them several years back when we worked from the WoodWorkers Forum. I need to bring them back over this side.

Hi Graeme
are you going to put some pictures up ie actual welds so that I can relate to what your saying....same as Ash's pics and your comments on what he (and me) needs to do else I would have no idea on why my welds are like they are.

Hi Kryn
I did some "tacks" that were about an inch long and was going to get someone else to properly weld the rest for me. Then I got game and had a go myself. Sort of wish I hadn't now. The stop starts are just me making sure I haven't gone off line too far.
I appreciate your help.
Ash

Hi Graeme
Pic 1 - I only have four settings on my mig. Low and high + 1 and 2 which is a real pain. (The Horizontal weld of the plate to RHS is attaching my winch plate to the drawbar). This was done on "high 2" i.e. the highest setting with wire feed set at about 6.5 out of 10.

I can't increase voltage. It is only a 135 amp machine so I may need a bigger one perhaps.

I will check out your Welding Lessons.

Thanks heaps. I really appreciate your help. I am on a mission to get it right.

Ash,
I think you are correct about your machine being a bit light for the application.

It is a bit hard to tell you that you need more voltage when your is already flat tack.

However, I can say you did well with what you have. Sadly to weld thicker and heavier steel you need to look at something with a bit more grunt.

I don't know if you on a budget or not but some older mig machines are not to be discounted.There are a more than a few here who have tried and old Cig Transmig 195 and found them very affective for the comparatively few dollars paid for them.

Ash,
I think you are correct about your machine being a bit light for the application.

It is a bit hard to tell you that you need more voltage when your is already flat tack.

However, I can say you did well with what you have. Sadly to weld thicker and heavier steel you need to look at something with a bit more grunt.

I don't know if you on a budget or not but some older mig machines are not to be discounted.There are a more than a few here who have tried and old Cig Transmig 195 and found them very affective for the comparatively few dollars paid for them.

Grahame

Thanks Grahame

It looks like I may need to upgrade.

I do have a 200 amp stick welder but I feel much more confident with the tig.

What do you suggest I do with the existing “work” I’ve done? Grind away and go again with more power?

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